When The Lights Go Down In The City

City light, city bright.  Schisms between hot urban concrete and desert sands are evident in the "Valley of the Sun".  The inferno though, offers no division - 115 degrees feels the same, no matter your location. Giant Palm trees can be found lining city streets, offering shade for the concrete jungle.  You might think you're in hell once a wave of desert heat hits your face, but to desert rats, Phoenix, and it's surrounding geography, nothing is laconic.  The desert surrounds you, and within the scorching amphitheater, you are apt to find an abundance of swimming pools, water fountains, golf courses and sweat.  Camelback Mountain,(2704 elevation) rises to the north of downtown Phoenix and Mount Suppoa,(2690 elevation) rises to the south. While Camelback offers the adventurous hiker brilliant red rock trails, South Mountain is home to copious groves of cacti.  Enormous Haboobs tear through the landscapes, leaving a crust of sand on everything it touches. In late June through August, the monsoonal rains offer respite and the parched earth is soaked with moisture.  While some might consider the heat of Phoenix akin to Dante and his inferno, in reality, the city and surrounding areas are alive with a multitude of flora, fauna and fantastic desert life.